Local hero Darren Howie wins Stephen 

 

Gallacher Foundation Trophy at Cardrona

 

NEWS RELEASE

Local lad Darren Howie, last year's runner-up, went one better as he won the Stephen Gallacher Foundation Trophy at Macdonald Cardrona, near Peebles.

The 16-year-old took a commanding seven-shot lead into the final round after opening with scores of 68 and 67 to sit on nine-under-par.

That advantage was down to just one shot with two holes to play as Rory Franssen from Inverness turned up the heat at the Borders venue.

But Howie, a member at the host club as well as Peebles, made a timely birdie at the 17th before finishing with a solid par.

A closing 75 for 210 total gave him a two-shot victory over Franssen (68) with Old Ranfurly's Jamie Stewart (69) and Banchory's Sam Locke (72) both finishing on 214. 

"That was an exhausting round," admitted a relieved Howie, last year's Scottish schoolboys' champion, afterwards.

"Having a seven-shot lead was strange as it actually seemed to make me think I was in a match-play situation with Sam and Rory rather than going out and shooting a score."

Sandy Scott, the player Howie finished runner-up to 12 months ago, has just been picked to represent Scotland in next month's European Men's Team Championship in France.

"I was only one back with two holes to go last year but bogeyed 17th and Sandy birdied it," he recalled.

"What Sandy has gone on to achieve since then has been a joke and hopefully this win will give me a lift, too."

Watched by dad Paul, Michael Lawrie finished joint-sixth on 218 after closing with a two-under 70.

Scott Knowles

Manager

http://www.sgfoundation.co.uk/

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